Puppy Day 1: Airport Pickup and the Flight Home

After months of anticipation, the day had finally come. We had made it to the top of the waitlist and with just one puppy remaining in the litter, we were called up. With just two weeks until pick-up day, we were filled with excitement and nerves as we prepared for our long-awaited blind date with our new puppy, Tuna. From the moment we left New York City to fly to Denver, to the moment we returned home, our journey was filled with challenges and rewards. Join us as we share the story of Tuna’s first day with us and the memories that will last a lifetime.

Preparing for a puppy journey

In addition to what we’d need at home, there were a number of things we needed to bring with us at the breeder’s direction. Most importantly this included an airport carrier, some puppy pads, a few toys, towels, and cleaning supplies. The airport carrier we bought after checking with the airline’s official sizing restrictions. We wanted to either borrow or use one from the local Buy Nothing group since this was a one-time usage, but none were available within the time. Luckily, we were able to give the carrier a new home within the Buy Nothing group.

For buying a plane ticket, check, check, and triple-check that your ticket includes a dog, that all the airline rules and paperwork are met, and that your carrier is appropriately sized. Each airline is different, and the rules change often. Being that this was a relatively short notice ticket right before Thanksgiving, middle seats were all that were available.

To keep the carrier clean, one trick is to line the bottom of the carrier with two potty training pads. That way if (or when) there is an accident, it is easy to remove the dirty one, and your second one is already ready to go. Our carrier had a removable bottom, so it was possible to tightly wrap the potty training pad around and under the bottom.

The play by play

Armed with the carrier and a small bag of supplies, I headed to the airport. Past security and waiting for a coffee, I was approached quickly by the biggest smile I’d seen ever in LaGuardia. “Can I say hi to your puppy?” After explaining the carrier was in fact empty, she walked away with “it’s such an exciting day.” And it was.

After landing in Denver, I texted the breeder and got their exact location. Tuna was one of three pickups that day from his litter. I walked straight to the parking lot, skipping along the way, and found the breeder. She walked me through the paperwork she had, a few things for us to sign, and vet records. She had prepared a care package of food for several days and some toys to ease the journey. After a tearful hug and kiss on Tuna’s cowlicked forehead, she handed him to me.

What a loving potato. He was clearly scared but curious. Heading back into the airport, we got reorganized. I got him comfortable in his carrier, consolidated all our things, and got the paperwork handy for the trip back.

In the airport

The first stop was to “check” Tuna in. After a quick review of my ticket and the paperwork, Tuna’s carrier had an official tag on it giving us the right of passage. The thing about a puppy, in an airport or anywhere, is it brings out the best in everyone. Smiles everywhere. Waves from everyone.

Getting through security, with TSA PreCheck, was awkward. I wasn’t ten minutes into being this dog’s owner, and we were navigating a delicate ballet of getting the carrier on the x-ray belt, getting the dog in my arms, and getting my jacket off; all with the glaring but smiling, passengers waiting in line.

Waiting for the plane gave us time to get to know each other. We played a little and slept a little. And texted so many people photos of the adventure. I decided before the trip to turn down offers from others to pet him. I had a few reasons for this. First, I wanted him to bond with me. And in that first hour, I selfishly didn’t want to be handing him off to strangers. Second, I didn’t want to have to worry about the cleanliness of others. Did they have a sick dog they petted goodbye before coming to the airport? And finally, it simply made it easier to navigate the airport. I used the line: “He does have his vaccines yet, so we aren’t saying hi to anyone.”

To minimize the risk of parvo, I had read to not use the airport’s potty area. Instead, we went into a large “family” restroom in a quiet part of the airport. I laid out some fresh potty pads and gave Tuna some time to figure it out. He never did, and ten minutes later, a full bladder or not, it was time to wrap up and get to the plane. In retrospect, it might have been better or easier to use the official potty area. We’ll see the next time.

On the plane

Getting situated on the plane was easy. The carrier, as advertised, fit exactly in the sit in front of me. My row mates were excited and asked questions about the puppy. Tuna was scared, and made some noises, but as soon as the plane started moving he fell sound asleep.

To check on him in the tight corridors of a middle seat, I would stick my phone in the carrier and take a photo. I was worried about him soiling himself, or if he was awake and stressed. But for the majority of the flight, he was asleep. The few times he did wake up, I’d give him some pets, he’d lick my hand, and he would fall right back asleep.

I think the fear and stress of the trip, along with not giving him much if any water, had him hold his pee for the entire flight. Until, that is, we had a slightly hard landing. I hear a short yelp, then smelled an accident. Almost made it buddy.

Getting home

The first stop was the bathroom, where changing the potty pad in the carrier proved as easy as planned. Cleaning Tuna’s fur though proved harder than the baby wipes I brought could handle. I didn’t want to bathe him in the sink and get him home cold and wet, so I did the best I could and powered through. I called ahead to home that we would be needing a bath first thing.

At this point, the trip went off the rails. Braindead, I got into the wrong Uber and drove off before realized my mistake. Fleeing the incorrect car, I had to double check I still had a puppy with me. Getting into the correct car and confirming this time, I quickly learned Tuna gets car sick. Luckily I still had a potty training pad in the carrier, so the mess was contained. But riding home, there was no chance to stop and clean it up. I called ahead again and said we really need a bath.

Welcome Home Tuna

Getting home and taking him straight to the bathtub, Tuna got a warm and soapy cleaning. Afterward, we simply bundled him up in towels in our arms and enjoyed the moment. The joy of welcoming him into our home and into our family was overwhelming. He was so willing to love and be loved and his warmth filled our hearts.